This study reveals the leading role of soil organic matter and its composit
ion in determining the resistance of heavy soils towards the degradation of
their structure under the impact of mechanical compaction. Quantitative ch
aracteristics of soil organic matter in soddy-podzolic soils and chernozems
with different resistance to compaction art: established. The role of swel
ling-shrinking processes, the clay content, and the mineralogical compositi
on of clay in restoring the initial structural state of compacted soils is
shown.